RSS Feedhttp://10.40.239.129/blogs/rss-feed/Blog RSS Feeden{18F6E4A9-9386-4FCA-BC88-E9CE0BE77779}http://10.40.239.129/blogs/2015/01/our-antibiotic-future-found-in-the-dirt/Our Antibiotic Future Found in the Dirt<p>When you think of scientific discoveries what do you imagine? Maybe researchers gathered in a lab discussing the contents of a petri dish or test tube? Though many innovations happen in this type of environment, new scientific discoveries can also emerge from the least likely of places. This was the case in a recent game-changing antibiotic discovery; the source of the antibiotic &ndash; a pile of dirt. </p>
<p>A team of scientists from the Antimicrobial Discovery Center at Northwestern University and NovoBiotic Pharmaceuticals near Boston led this discovery using an innovative new technology. This new technology allows microbial substances, or potential antibiotics, to grow in their natural soil environment instead of a lab. Since only one percent of microbes can be successfully grown in a lab, this new approach opens up the other 99 percent to research. </p>
<p>The team developed a small device called an iChip that holds a soil sample between two semi-permeable membranes. This device, which is placed back into the soil, acts as a chamber for natural growth to occur at just the right conditions. Once a microbe colony is formed, the sample is domesticated and can be grown in a lab for further testing. </p>
<p>Of the 10,000 strains of bacteria they studied, one bacteria stood out the most for the antibiotic it produced: an antibiotic they called Teixobactin. This antibiotic is promising because of the unique way it interacts with bacteria. Most of our current antibiotics attack bacteria&rsquo;s proteins and inhibit a variety of cellular functions. This method is effective, but bacteria have developed resistance to these mechanisms and can now grow in the face of many antibiotics.&nbsp; Teixobactin is different. It kills bacteria by breaking down the cell walls and stopping the growth of new cells by attaching to different lipid structures in the cell wall. This slows the development of resistances and allows the antibiotic to be effective for a longer period of time. &nbsp;</p>
<p>The introduction of a new antibiotic that is less likely to develop resistance is a major advancement for the medical community. Historically, drug-resistant bacteria develop faster than researchers are able to discover or make new antibiotics to fight them. The result is an enormous population of people who are vulnerable to bacteria that can&rsquo;t respond to necessary medical intervention. </p>
<p>According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, &ldquo;Each year in the United States, at least 2 million people become infected with bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics and at least 23,000 people die each year as a direct result of these infections.&rdquo; This new antibiotic, theoretically, will be able to cut down some of those numbers. </p>
<p>This new discovery directly impacts our local community too. Antibiotic resistance is increasing both nationally and locally. Every day we see patients with infections with multi-drug resistance bacteria. The discovery of new antibiotics with unique mechanisms of action will provide Utahans more options when confronted with severe infections.&nbsp; </p>
<p>Currently the antibiotic is being tested in mice with positive results. Human testing is still two years off, but if successful, the benefits of this added resources will be immense. </p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong>Sources:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-01-19/scientists-discover-potent-new-antibiotic" target="_blank">http://www.pri.org/stories/2015-01-19/scientists-discover-potent-new-antibiotic</a> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.newsweek.com/new-antibiotic-found-dirt-298216" target="_blank">http://www.newsweek.com/new-antibiotic-found-dirt-298216</a> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/08/health/from-a-pile-of-dirt-hope-for-a-powerful-new-antibiotic.html?_r=1" target="_blank">http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/08/health/from-a-pile-of-dirt-hope-for-a-powerful-new-antibiotic.html?_r=1</a> </p>
<a href="http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/" target="_blank">http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/</a>Wed, 28 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0700{596CAA54-B93E-4C2B-BC55-18FCEF08E2C7}http://10.40.239.129/blogs/2015/01/breastfeeding-common-maternal-concerns/Exclusive Breastfeeding: Common Maternal Concerns<p>New mothers have many concerns once their babies are born.&nbsp; Listed below are some of the key concerns, what to keep in mind, and what you can do to exclusively breastfeed.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p><b>CONCERN</b></p>
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<p><b>KEEP IN MIND</b></p>
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<p><b>WHAT CAN I DO</b></p>
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<p>My Baby doesn&rsquo;t know how to breast feed or doesn&rsquo;t want to breastfeed. (</p>
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<p>Full-term, healthy babies are born with the natural instincts to breastfeed.&nbsp; Plus, they are recovering from the birth process and adapting to their new environment.&nbsp; It is not uncommon for them to be sleepy in the first 24 hours. </p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Skin to skin, watch for feeding cues and try to feed when you recognize them.&nbsp;&nbsp; If needed, you may need to either do manual expression or pump to provide stimulation to the breast and to give these small amounts of colostrum to your baby via an alternative method.&nbsp; Ask if a Lactation Consultant is on staff for assistance. </p>
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<p>&nbsp;I don&rsquo;t have enough milk for my baby. (this is probably the biggest concern that most lactation consultants address)</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>For the first couple of days your baby&rsquo;s stomach is very small, about the size of a shooter marble.&nbsp; However, what is even more important to remember is that you have the perfect volume of milk for your baby each day.&nbsp; Your milk volume normally increases in two to five days.&nbsp; </p>
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<p>Breastfeed on demand-at least 8-12 times in 24 hours.&nbsp; Duration:&nbsp; 10-20 minutes is generally adequate.&nbsp; Monitor wet diapers and messy diapers and get your baby&rsquo;s weight checked by your baby&rsquo;s doctor.&nbsp; This will assure you that all is well.&nbsp; </p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>&nbsp;I&rsquo;m just too tired to breastfeed right now. </p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>It is hard to get used to feeding a baby as often as he or she may need to eat, especially if you have been in labor for a long time.&nbsp; But it will get easier. (2)</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Limit visitors the first couple of days so that you can sleep when the baby sleeps.&nbsp; Be sure to feed the baby first so that both of you can rest.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>Have grandma or daddy hold the baby while you take a nap if needed.</p>
<p>At home, let others help with household duties so you can work on breastfeeding and rest.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </p>
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<p>&ldquo;My baby is crying so he/she must be hungry&rdquo;. (1)</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Crying can mean so many things other than hunger.</p>
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<p><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Your baby may be telling you that</span></b> </p>
<p>He is uncomfortable, He is in pain, </p>
<p>That all the noise in the room is over stimulating him, Or simply that he just wants you to pick him up and hold him.&nbsp; </p>
<p>It can be frustrating trying to figure it all out but in a couple of weeks you will be able to read his cues and meet your baby&rsquo;s needs. </p>
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<p>I&rsquo;ve got to go back to work in a couple of months so I want him to get used to taking a bottle now.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
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<p>Remember colostrum in the first few days/weeks is the only food your baby needs.&nbsp; &ldquo;Getting just this colostrum makes it easier for your baby to digest formula later on, if you need to use it&rdquo;.(3)&nbsp; </p>
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<p>Feed on demand in the early days.&nbsp; Wait to offer bottles or pacifiers for 4 weeks unless medically indicated.&nbsp; </p>
<p><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></b></p>
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<p>References:</p>
<ol>
<li>Raylene Phillips, MD, IBCLC, FABM, FAAP, Loma Linda University Children&rsquo;s Hospital, taken from lecture titled:&nbsp; &ldquo;<i><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Supporting Exclusive Breastfeeding in the Early Postpartum Period&rdquo;</span></i>, at the Intermountain Healthcare Women and Childs Conference in September, 2014.</li>
<li>Evergreen Perinatal Education:&nbsp; &ldquo;One-Liners&rdquo; Ten Steps for Successful Breastfeeding.&nbsp; Clinical Scripts.&nbsp;&nbsp; </li>
<li>Paula Meir Webinar: &ldquo;What is the Evidence for the Joint Commission Core Perinatal Measure on Exclusive Breastfeeding During the Maternity Hospitalization?&rdquo;</li>
</ol>Tue, 27 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0700{FC46961D-B021-4C78-9FF1-81FD7679D720}http://10.40.239.129/blogs/2015/01/ask-nurse-dani-when-should-i-feel-my-baby-move/Ask Nurse Dani: When Should I Feel My Baby Move?<p>Your pregnancy, especially if you are a first-time mom, is an exciting time full of new experiences, and sometimes worries. One of these concerns moms often come to me about is their baby&rsquo;s movement, specifically when and how much movement they should feel.</p>
<p>Most pregnant women start to feel their babies move between 16-18 weeks of pregnancy. Some may feel movement sooner though, especially if they are veteran moms and remember what it felt like during their last pregnancy.</p>
<p>Here is a video I made that answers some of your baby movement questions and concerns in more detail:&nbsp;</p>
<div style="position:relative; display:block; height:0; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%;"><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cFG8b0Dx6LI" style="position:absolute; top:0; bottom:0; left:0; width:100%; height:100%; border:none;" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
<p>If you are in the 16-18 week range and are not feeling your baby move, there may be some simple explanations. It could be that the placenta is at the front of your belly, preventing you from feeling a lot of movement. This doesn&rsquo;t mean your baby is not moving; it just means that you are not feeling the movements. Wait until your baby is a little bit bigger and his or her movements are stronger. They will be easier to feel at that point.</p>
<p>By the beginning of your third trimester you should feel regular movement. <b>The guideline is that you should feel about six movements per hour.</b> If it's ever less than that, or at any point in your pregnancy you feel concerned, just try this trick to track movements: drink something sweet (this helps encourage baby movement), lay down on one side, and count movements.</p>
<p>If you feel six or more &ndash; great! If you are in your third trimester and feel five movements or less in an hour (some guidelines say ten or less movements in two hours), then it's definitely time to go to the hospital and get checked out. They can put your baby on the monitor and make sure everything is okay.</p>
<p>The best indication you have that your baby is doing well when you're not at the hospital or hooked up to a monitor is that you are feeling your baby move. We are huge believers in mother's intuition. If your baby is moving less than normal or you just feel something might not be right, we'd love to check you out and make sure things are okay. Good luck with everything and congratulations on your pregnancy!</p>
<p>If you have other questions during your pregnancy or about your newborn, feel free to ask them on our Facebook page, Intermountain Moms, and recommend us to your friends and family too.</p>Mon, 26 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0700{61173D00-F374-4B08-9891-35F71C198ABD}http://10.40.239.129/blogs/2015/01/healthy-why-do-i-need-a-doctor/I&#39;m Healthy, So Why Do I Need A Doctor?<p>**Sign up today for healthy tips and advice from Intermountain LiVe Well. <a href="http://intermountainhealthcare.org/LiveWell/About/LiVe%20Well%20Signup" target="_blank"><strong>Click Here</strong></a>.**</p>
<p>Many young people who feel healthy think they don&rsquo;t need a doctor. They are sometimes affectionately called &ldquo;young invincibles.&rdquo; Some cynics tell us to avoid doctors until we know we need them. Unfortunately, these are risky attitudes, and every year some of us find out why. There are actually many good reasons to see a doctor regularly, even when you feel fine. The most important reason is that some serious illnesses require treatment before you feel or recognize them, such as heart disease, thyroid disorders, kidney issues, and cancers such as of the prostate, colon, and breast. If you are truly healthy, a doctor can help identify your individual risk factors and guide you toward prevention. Your risk factors and signs of trouble change as you age. <br />
<br />
There are a number of less obvious reasons not to wait. One is that the Affordable Care Act has allowed many people to gain access to health care who didn&rsquo;t have it before, but the number of physicians has not increased accordingly. Acting sooner will help you establish care with the provider of your choice. Also, most insurance plans, even high-deductible plans, offer a free preventive care visit each year. This is a great opportunity to have a doctor review your health history, examine you, and give you the lab tests necessary to ensure that you are healthy. <br />
<br />
It&rsquo;s also important to establish care with a single provider. You want a physician who will know your history, including the medications you&rsquo;ve had in the past. Medical records do not always transfer seamlessly among providers. You want your doctor to know what &ldquo;normal&rdquo; is for you, to track your treatments and immunizations, give you referrals, and become your advocate with your insurer. <br />
<br />
If you should suffer conditions that are difficult to discuss, such as depression or anxiety, you may prefer to see a physician you know. Once you have established a primary care physician, you may have access to same-day appointments that are open only to established patients. New patients may have to wait a days or weeks and then go through the process of developing a full health history. <br />
<br />
In short, choosing a provider and establishing a relationship with a primary care physician has many advantages, not only for those with immediate medical problems, but also for those who are young, healthy, and seemingly invincible. And remember that prevention is just as important as treatment, if not more so. <br />
<br />
To establish a Primary Care Provider near you, visit <a href="http://intermountainclinics.org" target="_blank">IntermountainClinics.org </a><br />
<br />
To read the full article, check out the current edition of Healing for Life Magazine at: <a href="http://healingforlifemagazineSLC.org">HealingforLifeMagazineSLC.org </a>.</p>Fri, 23 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0700{F094514E-0C44-4510-BF6F-DF9CCF9D8BB8}http://10.40.239.129/blogs/2015/01/sundance-film-festival-intermountain-healthcare/Fly In, Flu Out at the Sundance Film Festival with Intermountain Healthcare’s <p>Starting this week, more than 50,000 air travelers will fly into Salt Lake City International Airport to make their way to Park City for the Sundance Film Festival. Once in Park City, they&rsquo;ll be riding public transportation, sharing theatre seats, shaking hands, exchanging business cards and unknowingly spreading germs - enjoying films in a giant petri dish while flu activity has reached epidemic levels this year.</p>
<p>In an effort to combat the flu and help festivalgoers stay healthy, Intermountain Healthcare has opened a Flu Shot Clinic inside the airport&rsquo;s Terminal 2, between concourses C and D. Intermountain operates Park City Medical Center, the local hospital that will likely treat those who fall ill during the festival. <br />
<br />
&ldquo;We want people to enjoy the Sundance Film Festival, and not get sick because of it,&rdquo; notes Park City Medical Center CEO Rob Allen. &ldquo;The convenience of being able to get a flu shot right at the airport really is a benefit to travelers coming to Park City for the Festival.&rdquo; <br />
<br />
The clinic is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and flu shots are just $25. <br />
<br />
Even with various strains of the flu going around, health experts strongly encourage people to get the flu shot. It helps prevent the flu and minimizes symptoms and length of illness if one does contract it. <br />
<br />
Another way festival goers can protect themselves is by downloading Intermountain&rsquo;s free mobile app, &ldquo;Intermountain Health Hub.&rdquo; One of the tools within Health Hub, GermWatch, provides users with real-time information about infectious diseases that are active in Utah communities. Festival attendees can find out how prevalent various germs are in Park City and see how germ activity level is trending. GermWatch is especially valuable during flu season and provides information about outbreaks of common respiratory viruses. Health Hub is available for free download from the iTunes App Store and Google Play. </p>
<p>&ldquo;Having information about what germs are going around helps providers stay alert for the illnesses caused by these germs,&rdquo; said Dr. Kris Kemp, director of Park City Medical Center&rsquo;s Emergency Department. &ldquo;This awareness can improve diagnostic accuracy, which in turn makes it easier for them to provide the right treatment for patients. But it also helps people avoid getting sick in the first place.&rdquo; <br />
<br />
Other ways you can avoid getting the flu include: </p>
<ul>
<li>Getting a flu shot (it&rsquo;s not too late).</li>
<li>Avoid close contact with those who are sick.</li>
<li>Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.</li>
<li>Get plenty of sleep, exercise, drink lots of water and eat healthy foods. </li>
</ul>Thu, 22 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0700{BD1367EE-95F9-4568-B6E1-785096E92134}http://10.40.239.129/blogs/2015/01/utah-jazz-rookie-returns-to-play-after-bout-of-plantar-fasciitis/Plantar fasciitis impacts Utah Jazz rookie Rodney Hood&#39;s season<p>According to experts at <a href="http://intermountainhealthcare.org/hospitals/tosh/Pages/home.aspx" target="_blank">TOSH &ndash; The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital</a>&nbsp;in Murray, plantar fasciitis is an irritation of the plantar fascia, which is a thick band of connective tissue, which travels across the bottom of the foot between the toes and the heel. It supports the foot&rsquo;s natural arch and stretches and becomes taut whenever the foot bears weight. </p>
<p><strong>What causes plantar fasciitis?</strong></p>
<p>Plantar fasciitis is caused by repetitive stress or excessive tension on the tissue. Small tears may develop and the plantar fascia can become irritate and inflamed. </p>
<p><strong>What are the symptoms of plantar fasciitis? </strong></p>
<p>The pain of plantar fasciitis feels like a stabbing sensation in the heel of the foot. The pain usually develops gradually. It is typically more painful in the morning, when a person is taking the first few steps out of bed. Plantar fasciitis may affect one foot, or it may be felt in both feet. </p>
<p><strong>What are the treatment options?</strong></p>
<p>Treatment for plantar fasciitis may include rest, ice and anti-inflammatory or corticosteroid medications. A physician may also recommend orthotics, splints or physical therapy. If these techniques are not effective, surgery may be needed to relieve tension on the plantar fascia. </p>
Learn more about plantar fasciitis or <a href="http://intermountainhealthcare.org/hospitals/tosh/conditions-treatments/foot-ankle/Pages/home.aspx" target="_blank">other common foot/ankle injuries</a>.<br />Tue, 20 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0700{D465023F-5831-4806-9494-FD1EC242C556}http://10.40.239.129/blogs/2015/01/the-flu-hit-its-peak-in-utah-but-still-take-precautions/The Flu Hit Its Peak in Utah, But Still Take Precautions<p>The winter season holds countless opportunities for fun, from cozy evenings at home by the fireplace to adventurous days on the ski slopes. But along with the snowflakes comes the inevitable: the flu. </p>
<p>This year the flu hit hard all across the nation. According to a recent Gallup poll, &ldquo;An average 4.0% of Americans reported being sick with flu on any given day in December [2014]. This is higher than all previous Decembers since Gallup began tracking the flu daily in 2008, and is one of the highest rates for any month over the past seven years.&rdquo; </p>
<p>In December the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said that the flu was widespread in 43 of the 50 states. Utah was no exception. During the week of December 28, 2014 our GermWatch reported 684 cases of Influenza A in Utah. </p>
<p>But don&rsquo;t resign to the flu season blues just yet. We have some good news too. The flu peaked in Utah in late December, and the number of cases is steadily declining! You can track this decline and other germ activity through our tool called <a href="http://intermountainhealthcare.org/health-resources/germwatch/Pages/home.aspx" target="_blank">GermWatch</a>. This tool, accessible through our website and our <a href="http://intermountainhealthcare.org/health-resources/apps/Pages/Health-Hub.aspx" target="_blank">Health Hub mobile app</a>, gives you real-time information about germ activity in your area. This information helps doctors diagnose and treat infections appropriately and helps you stay informed about what is going around and what to look out for. </p>
<p>Even with the decline in flu cases, flu activity is still moderately high in most counties throughout the state. This means taking preventative measures is still very important. Though seasonal flu infections are not life threatening for most people, they can be dangerous for young children, older adults, and others with certain health concerns. </p>
<p>Here are a few ways to practice prevention and stop the spread of the flu: </p>
<ul>
<li>Get a flu shot &ndash; it is not too late! You can find sites that still have available vaccines at <a href="http://www.immunize-utah.org" target="_blank">www.immunize-utah.org</a>.</li>
<li>Wash your hands often and well.</li>
<li>Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Remember, if you are sick, stay home from school or work.</li>
<li>Cover your sneezes and coughs.</li>
<li>Use a tissue once, then throw it away and wash your hands. </li>
</ul>
<p>Large, high traffic locations and events are always hot spots for germ activity too. That is why Intermountain is providing extra preventative resources to the community ahead of the Sundance Film Festival starting on January 22. </p>
<p>In an effort to combat the flu and help festivalgoers stay healthy, we opened a Flu Shot Clinic inside the airport&rsquo;s Terminal 2, between concourses C and D. &ldquo;We want people to enjoy the Sundance Film Festival, and not get sick because of it,&rdquo; notes Intermountain&rsquo;s Park City Medical Center CEO Rob Allen. &ldquo;The convenience of being able to get a flu shot right at the airport really is a benefit to travelers coming to Park City for the Festival.&rdquo; </p>
<p>Festivalgoers and others alike should be aware if they begin to experience <a href="http://intermountainhealthcare.org/health-resources/germwatch/germschool/Pages/influenza.aspx" target="_blank">flu-like symptoms</a>. Seasonal flu symptoms usually come on fast, causing chills, fever, muscle aches, fatigue, dry cough, and sore throat. Sometimes, it will cause a runny or stuffy nose or, in young children, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. </p>
<p>If you are not feeling 100% but do not know what it is you are experiencing, try using our <a href="http://healthlibrary.intermountainhealthcare.org/InteractiveTools/SymptomChecker/#sc_tab1" target="_blank">Symptom Checker</a>. This tool can help determine if you might have the flu, or something else. Remember though, if you are ever in doubt or think you may be experiencing more serious symptoms, contact your doctor for extra care. </p>
<p><strong>Sources:</strong> </p>
<p><a href="http://www.gallup.com/poll/180434/flu-cold-reports-among-highest-2008.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.gallup.com/poll/180434/flu-cold-reports-among-highest-2008.aspx</a></p>Mon, 19 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0700{0D6E992C-183B-4167-8587-1A5BDBE714EA}http://10.40.239.129/blogs/2015/01/winter-sports-safety/Winter Sports Safety<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>Sledding Safety</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">&nbsp;Make sure you have a sturdy sled that you can steer. Never use homemade sleds like garbage can lids, plastic bags, or pool floats. Never use a sled with sharp edges or broken parts. These can be very dangerous and cause you to lose control. Make sure the sledding hill you choose is covered with packed snow, isn&rsquo;t too steep, isn&rsquo;t covered with ice, and does not end close to roads or cars. The hill you choose should be clear of trees, bushes, and other obstacles. Make sure to always sled during the day in well-lit areas. If you are sledding with a friend, make sure that you do not exceed the weight limit of the sled. When you are sledding make sure to wear a bike helmet to protect your head.&nbsp; Always make sure that you are sitting on the sled. Do not lie down. </p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>Skiing and Snowboarding Safety</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Make sure to have appropriate equipment that fits. Ill-fitting equipment such as boots and bindings can cause loss of control, resulting in injuries. It is also important to have the appropriate protective gear. Helmets are essential to protect against head injuries, and goggles provide necessary eye protection. It is also a good idea to take a skiing or snowboarding lesson in order to prevent injuries.</p>
Remember to stay warm and have a fun and injury free winter!Wed, 14 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0700{022C1385-799C-4286-9BDB-1DD1A5CDDA63}http://10.40.239.129/blogs/2015/01/aligning-financial-incentives-will-help-lead-to-more-affordable-costs/Blog Post: By aligning financial incentives, Intermountain Healthcare will help everyone who’s involved in healthcare get better results for more affordable cost<p>In the traditional healthcare model, hospitals and physicians are rewarded for providing more services, health plans are rewarded for managing expenses and the use of services, and patients are often uninformed, unengaged, and &mdash; from a financial perspective &mdash; only aware of their out-of-pocket expenses. At Intermountain, we believe we need a model of care that rewards hospitals and physicians for providing the <i>right</i> care rather than just providing <i>more</i> care. And we need health plans that encourage and reward patients for being engaged in their personal health and healthcare choices. When everyone has aligned incentives &mdash; when they&rsquo;re all on the same team &mdash; everyone&rsquo;s much more likely to get the results they want.</p>
<p>Aligning incentives will help all of us work for the same purpose, which is articulated by Intermountain&rsquo;s mission: We&rsquo;ll <i>help people live the healthiest lives possible.</i></p>
<p>One of the key ways to create alignment is to discontinue paying hospitals and doctors based simply on how much care they provide and instead to pay them for providing the most effective and appropriate care that patients need, including tools to promote prevention and wellness. In this model, delivery systems like Intermountain would receive a &ldquo;total cost of care&rdquo; payment from insurers. That way, we would have the funds needed to invest in prevention, we would be able to support physicians and their staffs by helping educate patients, and the model would eliminate the inherent adversarial role that exists between providers of care and the payers of care.</p>
<p>It works like this: Instead of being paid after services are provided, hospitals and physicians are paid ahead of time by insurance companies and government payers for taking care of a group of people for a fixed time, with measures in place to ensure high-quality outcomes. Quality measures encourage the provision of the best care. Prepayment takes away the incentive that exists under the fee-for-service model to provide more care and instead incentivizes more effective care.</p>
<p>We&rsquo;ll continue to provide the best evidence-based care proven to improve outcomes. And equally important, we&rsquo;ll help patients improve their lifestyles so they are more likely to avoid the health concerns in the first place. When everyone has aligned incentives &mdash; when we&rsquo;re all on the same team with the same goals &mdash; everyone wins.</p>
<p><b>Here&rsquo;s an overview of how Intermountain will align financial incentives for everyone who&rsquo;s involved in healthcare: </b></p>
<ul>
<li><b>PATIENTS AND HEALTH PLAN MEMBERS -</b>&nbsp;SelectHealth is designing health plan benefits that reward members for being more engaged in their personal health and wellness and more involved in their personal healthcare decisions. In the future, we expect other insurers will also design benefits that increase incentives for health and wellness.</li>
<li><b>HEALTH PLANS -</b>&nbsp;Intermountain and SelectHealth are creating a new health plan product based on Shared Accountability principles that will be available to large employer groups by January 2016. We&rsquo;ll keep the average annual premium increases on this plan close to the general inflation rate. That will provide a significant cost savings for everyone. SelectHealth already offers two accountable-care products: 1) SelectHealth Advantage<sup>SM</sup>, a Medicare Advantage plan; and 2) SelectHealth Community Care<sup>SM</sup>, a Utah Medicaid ACO plan.</li>
<li><b>PROVIDERS -</b>&nbsp;Teams of Intermountain&rsquo;s leaders and physicians are developing new models for paying hospitals and physicians based on measures that assess the quality of care, patient satisfaction, and total cost of care.</li>
</ul>
Intermountain launched a pilot of a new physician payment model in the fall of 2013. It includes about 7,500 patients served by 383 providers at 15 clinics. In the model, physicians are paid for the care they provide, plus they receive incentives for meeting quality, service, and &ldquo;appropriate use&rdquo; goals. New tools that are part of the model give physicians data to support their care decisions and measure the clinical results. We&rsquo;re evaluating these tools and will make modifications as we prepare for future expansion. Our commercial Shared Accountability health plan will reflect the things we learn in the beta test of this new physician clinic payment model.Wed, 14 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0700{53F30EBE-2C39-40E1-85A4-E1EEB5E4CD2F}http://10.40.239.129/blogs/2015/01/get-moving/Get Moving!<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">So where do you start? Escaping from a sedentary lifestyle can seem daunting, but it doesn&rsquo;t need to be. Here are some tips for developing and maintaining a regular physical activity regimen.</p>
<ul>
<li>Just start, no matter how small! The rule with exercise is that none is bad, some is good, and more is better. Don&rsquo;t worry if you can&rsquo;t meet the recommendations right away. Be patient, and aim for progress, not perfection.</li>
<li>Start with aerobic activities, which have the most substantial health benefits. Use large muscle groups for enough time to raise your heart rate and break a sweat. Later on, you can add balance, flexibility, or strength training for even more benefits. </li>
<li>Start slowly and build up slowly. If you&rsquo;ve been inactive for some time, you might just take a ten-minute walk every couple of days. But schedule a time and make it a part of your routine. Later, you can increase the duration of the exercise, and then the intensity. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week. (Just 30 minutes, five days a week!)</li>
<li>Sit less. Too much time sitting can increase your risk for chronic disease, even if you get the recommended 150 minutes a week. Aim for less than two hours of screen time a day, not including work and school, and try to sit for less than six hours total. If you have to sit a lot, stand up and move around for two or three minutes every half hour.</li>
<li>Do what works for YOU. You&rsquo;re more likely to keep a habit that reflects who you are and what you enjoy. Exercising with a friend or family member can help you stay on a schedule and can make workouts more fun. But listening to music or audiobooks can give you time for solitude and reflection. Find what works for you.</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The benefits of exercise go far beyond weight management. They also include:</p>
<ul>
<li>A lower risk of anxiety and depression</li>
<li>Better sleep, and a boost to your energy, mental sharpness, and creativity</li>
<li>Lower risks for hypertension, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and breast and colon cancer</li>
<li>Greater muscle mass and bone density, fat reduction, and an improved body image</li>
</ul>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you haven&rsquo;t exercised for a while or if you have chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis. If you want a personalized plan, your primary care provider can help get you started.</p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b>Did you know?</b></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">People who are overweight but fit have a lower incidence of cardiovascular death than people of normal weight who are unfit. It&rsquo;s always better to be active than inactive!</p>Wed, 14 Jan 2015 00:00:00 -0700